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What is the exam pattern of ACCA?

The three levels of the ACCA course are Knowledge Level, Skill Level, and Professional Level. ACCA Subjects and Syllabus 2023. The contents and curriculum for ACCA 2023 cover a range of financial, accounting, tax, and business-related topics. 13 tests altogether, including topics like business and technology, management accounting, financial accounting, corporate and business law, taxation, performance management, financial reporting, audit and assurance, financial management, etc., are part of the ACCA 2023 syllabus. Candidates must be aware of the topics and syllabus included in the ACCA exam pattern as they study for it. For more information on the ACCA subjects and syllabus 2023, the ACCA exam pattern, and other pertinent details, read the entire article.

ACCA exam pattern

The first four ACCA exam pattern (BT, MA, FA, and LW) are available on demand and can be scheduled at any time of the year with an authorised ACCA centre in the area. Four times a year, in the months of March, June, September, and December, the remaining nine exams are given. Both the computer-based and paper-based sections of the ACCA exam pattern consist of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and scenario-based questions. The following table lists the exam schedule for each ACCA paper.

ACCA paper wise exam pattern 2023

Paper Pattern
Papers F1 to F4 There will be around 50 mcq-based questions. Each question will carry 2 marks.
Papers F5 to F9 In this section there will be 60% mcq based and 40% long answer questions.

Section A – 15 questions, two marks each.

Section B – Comprises three scenario-based questions containing 15 marks each. Each scenario is followed by five mcq based questions.

In long answer type questions: A scenario will be given and 3–4 questions will be asked on the basis of the given scenario.

Papers P1 to P6 Scenario based questions.

Section A – A case study worth 50 marks will be given and 4 to 5 questions will be asked on it. It also includes 4 to 6 professional marks also.

Section B – 3 cases out of which 2 need to be attempted. Each carrying 25 marks.

ACCA syllabus 2023

ACCA Levels ACCA Subjects
Foundation ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 2)
ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 3)
ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4)
Certified Accounting Technician (CAT)
Knowledge Level F1 – Business & Technology (BT)
F2 – Management Accounting (MA)
F3 – Financial Accounting (FA)
Skill Level F4 – Corporate and Business Law (LW)
F5 – Taxation (TX)
F6 – Performance Management (PM)
F7 – Financial Reporting (FR)
F8 – Audit and Assurance (AA)
F9 – Financial Management (FM)
Professional Level P1 – Strategic Business Leader (SBL)
P2 – Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)
Optional Subjects in the Professional Level P3 – Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
P4 – Advanced Performance Management (APM)
P5 – Advanced Taxation (ATX)
P6- Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)

ACCA 2023 subject-wise important topics

Foundational level course

Nine disciplines altogether make up the ACCA foundation level courses F1 through F9. To qualify for the ACCA Certification, candidates without a qualifying undergraduate degree or appropriate professional certification (such as a CA) must successfully complete all nine courses in this category. Certain exemptions are available to those who have a CA, CS, or other professional undergraduate degree. Some of the crucial subjects covered in the ACCA foundational level course are listed below.

ACCA foundational level course important topics

Paper Topics
Paper F1 – Business and Technology (BT)
  • Organisational structure, leadership, and management in business
  • Environmental factors that have a major impact on business and accounting
  • History of Accounting in business
  • Accounting functions and internal control procedures
  • Managing and directing both teams and individual people
  • Hiring and training efficient personnel
Paper F2 – Management Accounting
  • Nature of cost and management accounting
  • Classification of costs, behaviour, and goal
  • Spreadsheets on computers and business mathematics
  • Cost Accounting Techniques
  • Standard costing and budgeting
  • Techniques for making quick decisions
Paper F3 – Financial Accounting
  • Financial reporting context and goal
  • Qualitative aspects of financial data and the basic principles of accounting
  • Double-entry accounting methods and uses
  • Keeping track of events and transactions
  • Trial balance preparation
  • Preparation of financial statements

 

ACCA skill level course

Under skill level, ACCA offers six subjects. It evaluates a candidate’s ability to function as a qualified accountant in any industry or business. The table below lists the specifics of the syllabus.

ACCA skill level important subjects

Paper Topics
Paper F4 – Corporate and Business Law
  • Important components of the legal system
  • Law of Obligations
  • Employment law
  • the establishment and structure of business organisations
  • Capital and business finance
  • Management, administration and the regulation of companies
  • Legal implications for businesses that are struggling or in crisis
  • Governance and ethical issues relating to business
Paper F5 – Performance Management
  • Cost accounting methods
  • Decision-making
  • forecasting and planning
  • Standard Costing and variance analysis
  • Performance management
Paper F6 – Taxation
  • Trading profits
  • Capital allowances
  • Employment income
  • Property business profits
  • Investment income
  • Personal tax computations
  • National insurance
  • Corporation tax
  • Capital gains tax
  • Value added tax
  • Self assessment
Paper F7 – Financial Reporting
  • Conceptual framework
  • Regulatory framework
  • Making financial statements
  • Business combinations
  • Analysing and interpreting
Paper F8: Financial Management (FM)
  • Responsibilities of a financial manager
  • Financial management
  • Valuation of investments and businesses
  • Management of firm finances and capital costs
  • Managing working capital
  • Risk analysis for businesses
Paper F9: Assurance and Audit
  • Function of financial management
  • Environment of financial management
  • Working capital administration
  • Investment appraisal
  • Business finance
  • Capital costs
  • Business valuation
  • Management of risk

ACCA syllabus - professional level

Paper Subjects
Paper P1 –Strategic Business Leader (SBL) The strategic business leader is concerned with the function and significance of governance in the management of an organisation. The accountant’s role in risk assessment, ethical framework for using professional judgement and values, and other topics are also covered.
Paper P2 – Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) In this paper candidates practice and learn about the professional and ethical duties of an accountant, the financial reporting framework, and financial statement preparation for group entities. Also, they examine potential difficulties with financial reporting. implications of accounting regulation modifications, a review of recent happenings, etc
Paper P4 – Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
  • Roles and obligations to stakeholders
  • Advanced investment appraisal
  • Acquisitions and mergers
  • Restructuring and reorganisation of corporations
  • Treasury and advanced risk management methods
  • Economic environment for multinationals
  • Emerging issues in finance and financial management
Paper P5 – Advanced Performance Management (APM)
  • Strategic control and planning
  • Economic factors
  • Systems performance and design
  • Strategic performance measurement
  • performance management
  • Current developments

 

Paper P6 – Advanced Taxation (ATX)
  • Modern features of the UK tax system
  • Tax effects and how taxes interact
  • Planning for taxes
  • Communicating with clients, HM Revenue and customs, and professionals